Third Thursday Lecture: Innovating tradition: Conservation of Japanese Scroll Paintings in Britain

Sugiyama Keisuke

Senior Conservator of Japanese Paintings, Hirayama Studio, The British Museum

ABOUT THE LECTURE

The British Museum's Hirayama Studio is responsible for the care and preservation of over 5,000 Japanese paintings on paper and silk. The conservation of these paintings began in the early 20th century and a specialist Eastern Pictorial Art Conservation Section was created in 1980. Since then Museum staff have conserved and mounted paintings in the manner practised in Japan and kept abreast of information about new materials and techniques in Japan.

Japanese paintings conservation and mounting is a centuries-old craft and the skill and techniques are learned over a ten-year apprenticeship system. This tradition may seem conservative but in fact it has been changing with the influence from western conservation in the last fifty years. It's getting more academic and the conservator's job is becoming well known in public eye, however does this mean a decline in skills?

This talk will describe the museum conservator's work with practical treatment examples from a current collaborative project with Japanese colleagues and introduce the Japanese apprenticeship system from the speaker's experience.

Admission is free and all are welcome. Booking essential.

To avoid disappointment you are advised to reserve a seat by contacting the Institute, stating your name, the number of seats required and a contact telephone number or e-mail address.

ENTRY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED AFTER 6.00PM. We regret that there is no parking available in The Close.

To book a seat email us at sisjac@sainsbury-institute.org or fax 01603 625011 up to two days before the lecture stating your name, number of seats required and a contact number. Unless indicated otherwise the lectures are held at the Norwich Cathedral Hostry (Weston Room), Norwich NR1 4EH.